The Role of Fertilizers in Reducing Carbon Dioxide

The Role of Fertilizers in Reducing Carbon Dioxide Emissions

Fertilizers reduce the amount of deforestation by increasing efficiency of land use. Climate Planner News Letter (http: //www. mfpp. org/issue. html)

What is in a bag of inorganic fertilizer? • Nitrogen (N) percentage is the first number. This is a primary nutrient that makes the plant grow. • Phosphorus (P) percentage is the middle number. This is a primary nutrient that encourages rooting, blooming and fruit production. • Potassium (K) percentage is the last number on the bag. Potassium helps plants to resist disease and aids in hardiness.

Haber and Ostwald processes

Haber Process for Fixing Nitrogen from the Atmosphere

Ostwald Process for Producing Nitric Acid from Ammonia and Oxygen

Production of Ammonium Nitrate Fertilizer (solid containing 34% nitrogen)

Ammonia can be applied directly as a liquid. Ammonia molecule Spreading liquid ammonia fertilizer

Urea has the highest nitrogen content of all fertilizers (46 -0 -0). Produced from ammonia and carbon dioxide 2 NH 3 + CO 2 ↔ H 2 N-COONH 4 ↔ (NH 2)CO (s) + H 2 O

Fertilizers: Organic vs. Inorganic Organic fertilizers have lower percentages of nutrients and are therefore not as effective in promoting land use for crop production. However, the lower nutrient content reduces the undesired environmental effects of inorganic fertilizers. This highlights the trade offs in the use of the two types of fertilizers.